Active East uses sport as the hook to inspire and motivate young people living in disadvantaged communities to become confident goal setters, volunteering to build transferable skills and widen opportunities for participation in their local community.

The programme, first launched in 2013 by Olympic rower and gold medallist Katherine Granger, harnesses the power of sport and used the 2014 Commonwealth Games as a catalyst to transform the lives of young people in Glasgow’s East End. To date the sport for change programme has supported over 170 young people and enabled more than 40,000 hours of youth volunteering.

Active East will use the platform of sport and physical activity to reach and work with young people who are struggling to engage with traditional education and learning environments or those isolated and inactive. The programme puts young people at the heart of decision making, at the heart of local organisations and at the heart of delivery, it focuses on their incredible potential and seeks to empower young people to:

Increase aspirations, self-confidence and life skills, feel more positive about their futures, reach positive destinations, influence change around issues that affect them in their community and increase access to quality physical activity led by other young people.

The programme offers a flexible, wrap-around approach that allows young people to find their individual path and develop from the inside out using “sport for change” principles to combine youth work approaches with the physical and mental benefits of physical activity.

The new investment from the Big Lottery will allow us to continue the personal development programme and take forward the significant learning from listening and responding to the needs of young communities and properly understanding the barriers and challenges they face.

Active East Manager, Rohanna Irvine “We are incredibly excited to be able to continue the programme that showcases the amazing talents and commitment of the young people we have the pleasure to work with. We also have over 40 amazing partner organisations in the East of Glasgow who will help young people achieve positive outcomes through unique volunteering and leadership opportunities. The programme will be positive, fun and free! Big Lottery funding means we can continue to improve and change the lives of young people living in the East End, giving them a voice and a platform to shine.”

Active East is delivering lasting change, supporting physical and mental wellbeing, improving life chances and strengthening communities. Young people consulted on this proposal are looking forward to being a huge part of the leadership and delivery of the initiative over the next 2 years. One young leader commented “Active East changes the lives of so many young people, they encourage everyone to achieve their full potential. It has been great to be involved throughout the past 3 years and it has really developed me as a person. I can’t wait to support other young people to get the same benefits I have.”

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted that Scottish Sports Futures has been successful in securing National Lottery funding. The funding will make a big difference where it is needed most and I wish Scottish Sports Futures every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project for the benefit of their local community.”

Scottish Sports Futures and the Active East team are committed to ensuring all young people have the chance to fulfil their potential. The partnership with Big Lottery goes a long way to ensuring we can.